What permit do I need?
The formal use of sports facilities is managed through a permit process. We offer different permit types based on how the facilities will be used and who is using it.
- Casual sport permit: suitable for once-off or short-term use such as office matches, fundraising matches and events or school use.
- Seasonal sport permit: suitable for sporting clubs. A seasonal permit is issued twice a year to clubs returning each season to train and play competition over the course of each season, summer or winter.
To find out which sports can be played and at which park, visit our sports fields.
Do I always need a permit?
A sports permit provides formal approval for use that is being planned and organised, for a specific time or date, and in designated parks and gardens. A permit is not required if you are:
- not needing a formal sports field setup with line-markings or goals
- casually recreating with 5 to 10 people
- not associated with a sports club or a social group.
Sports events that require the use of infrastructure or not being held in our sports parks may need further approvals and an event permit may be more relevant. If you are planning on hosting an event with sporting activity, an application for an event permit is required.
A casual sport permit is required for groups or individuals who wish to use a sports facility for once-off or short-term formal and organised use.
Apply for a casual sports permit
You can now apply for and manage casual sports permits online via City of Melbourne ServicesOpens in new tab.
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A minimum of 5 business days’ notice, from the first date of planned use, is required to issue a permit.
Council approved fees are applicable and payable, in advance of the permit being issued.
For more information on the system, including how to register, log in, submit and manage your permit applications, see permit help and support.
Casual hire fees
The fees listed below are:
- approved by City of Melbourne for the 2024-25 financial year
- inclusive of GST
- current at the time of publishing
- subject to change.
| Facility | Weekday fee | Weekend fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket turf | $420 (7 days) | |
| Cricket synthetic | $71 | $147 |
| Football (AFL) | $150 | $297 |
| Rugby/soccer/hockey/lacrosse | $99 | $200 |
| Touch football | $68 | $137 |
| Softball | $49 | $99 |
| Baseball | $81 | $173 |
| Other – low impact, no infrastructure (<50 people) | $49 | $99 |
| Other – medium to high impact (>50 people) | $115 | $240 |
| Pavilion hire – Category A | $425 | $440 |
| Pavilion hire – Category B | $215 | $220 |
| Pavilion hire – min. three hours | $11 per hour | |
| Training – all sports | $1.45 per player per session | |
| Walmsley House hire (restricted to local community groups) | $8.20 | |
Concessions
Concessions on fees may apply for some groups if relevant information is provided at the time of application.
| Sponsored groups | Percentage of fees waived | Application of fee waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Primary schools | 100% | Discount automatically applied to all registered primary schools. |
| Secondary schools | 25% | Discount automatically applied to all registered secondary schools. |
| Junior and female groups | 50% | Automatically applied to any use of facilities pertaining to use by juniors (under 18 years) and female participants. |
| Special groups (through the community grants program) | Advised at the time of application | Grants are managed annually. To check the eligibility criteria and apply, visit Community funding and grants. |
A seasonal sport permit is suitable for organisations and sporting clubs that provide recreational opportunities to its members and the general public, on a regular basis over the course of the season.
This encompasses more than 80 sporting organisations with an established history of use in the City of Melbourne, that are predominantly volunteer-run and not-for-profit.
The Victorian Government determines the summer and winter seasons and respective sports permitted on Crown land.
- Summer season (1 October to 31 March) – applications open early July. Allocations are confirmed in September
- Winter season (1 April to 30 September) – applications open late November. Allocations are confirmed in February.
A growing population and high demand of our sports facilities impacts our ability to approve all applications for use. New applications received undergo a rigorous assessment before being approved for on-going seasonal sports use. Returning seasonal permit holders are given priority access and approval over new applicants.
Apply for a seasonal sport permit
Existing and returning seasonal permit holders can now apply for and manage their permits via City of Melbourne ServicesOpens in new tab.
Log into City of Melbourne Services accountOpens in new tab
For more information on the system, including how to register, log in, submit and manage your permit applications, see permit help and support.
Seasonal fees
Seasonal fees vary depending on the type of sport and the number of match or training dates required. Seasonal fees are based on a:
- 10 game (half share) or
- 20 game (full share) season.
Where a permit holder has, for example, a 12-game season they will be charged for a 10-game season (half share) plus two casual bookings.
The fees listed below are:
- approved by City of Melbourne for the 2024-25 financial year
- inclusive of GST
- current at the time of publishing
- subject to change.
| Seasonal hire of sports ground and facilities | Full share (20-game season) | Half share (10-game season) |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket turf | $6975 | $3485 |
| Cricket synthetic | $1900 | $945 |
| Football (AFL) | $1730 | $865 |
| Rugby/soccer/hockey/lacrosse | $1730 | $870 |
| Touch football | $865 | $435 |
| Softball | $665 | $330 |
| Baseball | $1455 | $725 |
| Other sport – clean, no markings or goals | $665 | $330 |
| Pavilion hire – Category A | $1455 | $725 |
| Pavilion hire – Category B | $725 | $365 |
| Pavilion bonds | $1105 | |
| Training – all sports (this rate is also applicable for pre-season use) | $1.45 per player per session | |
